To the editor:

As a daily commuter from western Douglas County to Gardner for the past seven years, I, for one, would gladly welcome a speed limit increase to 60 mph on rural sections of U.S. Highway 56.

However, I feel there are sections near beautiful Baldwin City where the speed limit should be lowered. My primary concern is not only in front of the new Baldwin Elementary School, but further west over the Baldwin Hilltop.

I don’t have the stats, but I would suggest that KDOT study the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities at the intersection of U.S. 56 and East 1600 Road, and consider dropping the speed limit to 45 mph from just west of East 1600 all the way through Baldwin City, past the new residential areas on the east, to North 250 Road.

I think we could all breathe easier and continue getting our kicks on Route 56.

Paul Stump,

Berryton